Information Specialist

Direct Reporting Line:
Head: Academic
Varsity College is an educational brand of The Independent Institute of Education (The IIE). The IIE enjoys the reputation of being at the forefront of private higher education in South Africa, and is registered with the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) to provide higher education qualifications accredited by the Council on Higher Education (CHE).

The IIE's Varsity College, Pretoria Campus has a vacancy for an Information Specialist.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Information Centre Administration

• Manage the day-to-day activities of the Information Centre in an academic environment.
• Manage the routine operations of the inter-Information Centre loans and request service.
• Manage and control facility, computer usage and ensure effective administration of periodicals.
• Liaises with departments within The IIE's Varsity College to ensure efficient support, i.e. assignment capacity.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with academic staff and students, as well as external bodies such as suppliers.
• Prepares reports related to Information Centre and information services.
• Develops and maintains a hybrid information collection.
• Edits, classifies, index information sources and distributes new materials for cataloguing to the information Centre Manager.
• Supervises the assistant staff and student assistants.
• Assists with the provision of information services in a digital environment.
• Assists with managing all auxiliary services such as copying, reproduction and digitization.
• Manages and controls good conduct in learning spaces.
• Monitors the performance of all functions of Information Centre systems.
• Liaises with the Capacity Management and Timetabling Centre to ensure that lectures have all the academic material they require for presenting lectures including sourcing teaching resources from publishers.
• Ensures that The Independent Institute of Education (The IIE) Policies and Procedures are adhered to.
• Provides feedback to the Information Centre Manager and Head: Academic on all Information Centre related issues.

Provision of Information Services and User Information

• Conducts class visits and live interactive training sessions for students and lecturers.
• Facilitating and supporting learning by teaching information literacy skills to students and staff, within classrooms and virtual learning environments.
• Assists students with academic writing, referencing and search skills.
• Trains students and lecturers on how to use the Information Centre database to enable them to do research and access the information required, e.g. Ebscohost, Juta Law and HeinOnline.
• Conducts presentations during Student Information sessions/ Digital Literacy Classes and Lecturer Information briefings.
• Provides guidance to students on academic writing and referencing styles.
• Supports academic staff with literature searches using research databases, printed resources and the internet.
• Addresses user inquiries.
• Keeps up to date with new developments, innovations in the Information Centre sector and participates in professional groups and Professional Learning Networks.

Research Output and Academic Support

• Measures research impact and develops best practices for use of information.
• Provides postgraduate research support to students by educating and providing academic support.
• Offers research support to academic staff.
• Assists students in finding academic research material and provides support on research-related queries.
• Plays an active role in research by performing own research and producing research output and activities.

Information Centre Resources Marketing

• Designs posters and Information Centre packs to market Information Centre resources on the campus.
• Arranges monthly displays according to the calendar set out by the Information Centre Manager and the Student Relations Manager, so as to align themes.
• Innovative marketing and promotion of Information Centre resources.
• Markets, promotes and coordinates awareness campaigns pertinent to the Information Centre.

General Administration

• Maintains records for payment of invoices.
• Monitors the performance of all functions of Information Centre automated Information Centre systems.
• Updates new books on the Sirsi Dynix to ensure accurate record keeping.
• Handles collection development, maintenance and management of Information Centre resources.
• Recruits and trains student assistants.
• Conducts bi-annual stocktaking project and compiles a report.

Competencies Required:

• Interpersonal and communication skills
• Coaching and mentoring skills
• Problem-solving skills & Time management skills
• Best suited to a friendly, organized person who works accurately and is able to handle pressure
• Information & Digital Fluency Skills
• Digital literacy skills
• Working knowledge of MS Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
• Understanding of library-related technology (e.g. Law online databases, Sirsi Dynix, Emerald, Ebscohost, Sabinet, etc.)
• Multi-literacy Skills
• Innovative and Energetic
• Producing own Research

Minimum Qualification Requirements:

• Minimum of Bachelor's Degree in Library and Information Science or BBibl.

Minimum Experience Requirements:

• Minimum of 3 years experience in an Academic library.
• Must have professional registration with LIASA.

Working Hours:

• Monday to Friday 8:00-17:00 or 07:00-16:00
• The Information Specialist may also be required to work one Saturday shift a month from 08:00 to 13:00 (timing of this monthly Saturday shift will be determined by the Head: Academic). In the week where the IS works the Saturday shift the Friday working hours will change to 08:00-12:00 accordingly.

Salary:

• Competitive salary commensurate with experience.

Benefits:

• Lifelong learning opportunities through LinkedIn Learning subscriptions.
• Staff and family discounts on educational programs within our brand portfolio.
• Incentive bonus structure based on performance and achievement of goals.
• Provident fund contributions, including Death & Funeral Cover, to support your financial well-being and future planning.
• Birthday vouchers to celebrate your special day.
• Competitive annual leave allowance for well-deserved time off and rejuvenation.

Application Response:

• Due to the high volume of CVs received, please note that personal contact with all applicants may not be feasible. Only candidates whose qualifications and skills closely align with the position requirements will be contacted for interviews.

Technical Support:

• Should you experience technical difficulties applying for the position, kindly use the following URL for further assistance: https://hire.simplify.hr/ContactUs

The IIE Varsity College, IIE Vega and IIE MSA are an Equal Opportunity Employer. However, preference may be given to previously underrepresented groups in accordance with the South African Employment Equity Act. The company reserves the right to close or place the vacancy on hold at any time, without prior notice.